chapter twenty
Chapter Twenty
.
Ronal’s fingers curled inside of you, twisting as you mewled against her desperately. She moaned, your pleasure her’s due to the bond between you.
“I love you,” you gasped frantically, coming undone around her. She cried out with you, and you wanted to taste her. She spread her legs, letting you flip her. She was sweet, and it was easy to push her over the edge, swirling your tongue around her.
You had woken up during the night to Ronal and Tonowari doing something very similar to what you were doing with her now, and Tonowari had not hesitated to wake you up early this morning before Ronal woke to fuck you against a tree. Your hair was a mess, but you could not bring yourself to care.
Today, you would have to go back. The olo’eyktan and tsahìk could not be away for too long. Tsonu’e would miss you, too. Still, you let yourself enjoy it a little longer.
Someone had to leave first. It was a very old story. There was no other version of this story. You missed Tonowari like you missed a limb. He’s headed back that morning, pressing an intense kiss to you and Ronal, he’d whispered to you to be good to her while he was gone.
You had. Thoroughly.
And you missed him. It was like before, but not. This was deeper. You felt like a part of you had been taken away with him. A part of you that was uniquely Tonowari had left you behind. You didn’t like it.
“We need to go back,” said Ronal softly. You nuzzled against her neck, inhaling her scent.
“I know,” you said. “I want to stay with you forever.”
“You will,” she said warmly. “But we must return to the People. Tsonu’e will miss you.”
“She worries too much,” you said, not without affection.
“You give her good reason to worry,” she chided.
“I will do my best to avoid causing worry in the future,” you teased, giving her a quick kiss. “Do you want to ride back together?”
She nodded. “I will leave with you Tsonu’e, I need to speak with Uäloä.”
“Oh,” you said, feeling a little nervous. Would she be upset? You hardly saw her—hardly knew her. But as the acting tsahìk, she could make your life miserable if you weren’t careful.
Ronal caressed your cheek. “Do not worry,” she assured. “Uäloä will not be upset. She knew before Tonowari or myself did.”
That was news to you.
Ronal took your hand gently, pulling you down to sit. She combed through your hair carefully, detangling it with her fingers. “Tsonu’e is better at braiding then I am,” she said. “But I will learn.”
Your heart swelled with affection for her, and you let her braid your hair. She was right, it wasn’t as smooth as Tsonu’e’s braids, but she had tried and that was what mattered.
.
You went to Tsonu’e when you arrived back to Awa’altu, giving Ronal a soft goodbye with the promise of seeing her later.
Tsonu’e was with her friends, weaving a basket on the beach. The sun was high in the sky, the sand warm on your feet as you approached.
Tsonu’e knew immediately. She jumped to her feet, grinning. “Truly?” she asked, before you could say anything.
“How did you even know?” you asked her, bewildered.
“Tonowari told me,” she said, drawing you into a hug.
You rolled your eyes. “Of course he did,” you mumbled. “Where is he, anyway?”
“He is with the warriors,” interjected Haolìp. “The Sky People got close this morning.”
The guilt was a little overwhelming, choking you. “I need to go,” you said. You weren’t as tactical as Tonowari, but your information about the RDA could be helpful. You knew what they had, weapons, ships, locations.
Uäloä was there, shaking her head when you walked in. A small crowd had formed, mostly warriors. You approached slowly, watching quietly as Uäloä scoffed at something.
“These people do not wish to learn—we have tried this already,” she hissed at Tonowari, her face contorting in a snarl.
Tonowari’s gaze hardened. “It has worked before. They can learn. They will learn.”
“You are a fool,” she jeered. “You are blinded by what you wish to see. Hana is the exception. She is sister to tulkun—she is Metkayina.”
Tonowari bristled, and you stepped forward to him almost unconsciously, resting your hand on his arm. He glanced at you, relaxing slightly at your touch. Uäloä’s eyes narrowed slightly at the gesture.
“Listen to her,” you said seriously. “They don’t care to see.”
“What is this?” she asked evenly.
Tonowari only looked at her rather pointedly. Uäloä deflated slightly.
“You are brave, my son,” she said. “Listen to your women, they will guide you well.”
He exhaled slowly, standing up straighter as he draw more attention to himself, his voice carrying. “The Sky People do not wish to learn. This we know. They have proven they will kill tulkun, Na’vi—even their own kind. You must protect the People—our home from these demons. Kill any Sky Person you encounter. They will not hesitate to kill us, so we must not either.”
You nodded beside him, encouraging him. The crowd departed slowly, and as it dispersed, to your utter horror, Yitì remained.
“Hana,” he said in greeting, completely ignoring Tonowari. You spared a glance at your mate, who looked downright homicidal. Yitì remained, unfortunately, oblivious. “I was hoping you would sit with me at the evening meal?”
Uäloä clocked it too, her gaze hardening a little as she approached to defuse the situation.
“Dear one,” she said to you, stopping whatever Tonowari was going to say before he could so much as open his mouth. “We must give you your new marking, are you available this evening?”
“Yes of course,” you said quickly, grabbing Tonowari’s hand. “He will need his too, right?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Ronal too. She is ready. You all are.”
Yitì deflated rapidly, clearly picking up what was being laid out to him. Rather gently, you thought. “Excuse me,” he said, leaving quickly.
Tonowari exhaled through his nose harshly. You bumped him with your shoulder. “Maybe now he’ll see Ìweii.”
“I do not like him,” he said.
“Hush,” said Uäloä, to you, she continued, “Tonowari has always been jealous. He used to be so upset over Ronal speaking to any other male.”
You laughed. “Did he?”
“Yes,” she said conspiratorial. “One can only hope he will do the same for you.”
“I am right here,” he huffed. You patted his arm gently.
“I wanted to speak with you,” you said. “About the Sky People. Their weapons are dangerous, and they could kill a lot of people if you don’t prepare them. I can go over the weapons they use, the technology they have. I know the best way to stop a lot of their stuff.”
His eyes softened slightly, and he sighed slowly, and gestured for you to go on. You smiled at him slightly, telling him what you knew—it might not have been much, but you felt better about it, telling him what you could.
And, you thought he appreciated it too.